@jdaviescoates yay ! πΎ
Thanks for the link. TBH struggled to follow/apply exactly.
But it set me on the path to something working.
I tried various distros without much luck but got SparkyLinux Minimal GUI working with refind and managed to update GRUB to start with addition of nomodeset radeon.modeset=0 so it boots reliably.
Sparky Minimal is not sexy, but I kinda like its minimalist mode.
Now that I have a basic install working, I will maybe try adding something like Zorin or PopOS or a PuppyDog for different options.
EDIT : Managed to get Zorin Lite working also πΎ
So I have a choice of basic GUI and something more modern.
Job done for now,
Maybe need to install some fan control later.